Student banned for drink-driving

Published:16:00Tuesday 18 January 2011

SKIDDING on ice and crashing into a tree landed a drink-driver with a ban.

College student Aaron Spain, 20, from Oakhurst Close, admitted to driving while above the alcohol limit when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court last week, but claimed his drinks could have been spiked.

Mark Kateley, prosecuting, said: “He was driving his Volkswagen Polo on Lower Park Road at 5am on December 12 when he skidded on ice and collided with a tree.

“Police found him nearby and he gave an alcohol breath reading of 64mg, the legal limit being 35mg.

“He told police he had only had a few beers and his last drink was at midnight so he thought he was alright to drive.”

Ronan Crummy, defending, said: “He had just two pints earlier that evening and can only assume someone spiked his drinks.

“He suffers from a rare bone cancer condition and does not go out often or drink.

“Mobility is difficult for him and he passed his driving test when he was 17,” Mr Crummy added.

“He is a student at Bexhill College, a hard-working young man who gained a distinction in his studies last year.”